Board game apparatus

ABSTRACT

A board game apparatus for two players comprising a board having a main playing area, and an outer perimeter which is an exclusive passage for the exclusive use of a single designated piece, one for each player, non-square simulated barriers and goal zones, and a plurality of game pieces divided equally between the players. The object of the game is one of strategic maneuver and interplay of the game pieces between the two players, as permitted by the rules, moving the pieces generally forward toward predetermined goals, utilizing the advantages of the outer perimeter for the said exclusive use of the said designated piece, one for each player.

United States Patent 1191 Hovnanian 1 51 Aug.5, 1975 BOARD GAMEAPPARATUS 1211 Appl No; 490,929

0225.074 11/1972 Dervishiun 273/131 K ux 0225.245 11/1972 Berger 273/131AB ux FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 327.5114 3/1903 France 1. 273/131AB Primary E.\uminerDelbert B. Lowe [57] ABSTRACT A board game apparatusfor two players comprising a board having a main playing area, and anouter perim' eter which is an exclusive passage for the exclusive use ofa single designated piece, one for each player, nonsquare simulatedbarriers and goal zones, and a plurality of game pieces divided equallybetween the players. The object of the game is one of strategic maneuver and interplay of the game pieces between the two players, aspermitted by the rules, moving the pieces generally forward towardpredetermined goals, utiliz ing the advantages of the outer perimeterfor the said exclusive use of the said designated piece, one for eachplayer,

1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEU AUB 5 I975 H Q5Q6Q7 Q Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

BOARD GAME APPARATUS This invention relates to improvements in boardgame apparatus, a chess-type game, intended particularly to provide aninexpensive game of skill, involving mental strategy.

The primary object of the game is the provision of a game board orplaying area wherein two opposing players may manipulate their playpieces in such a way as to generally advance their own play piecestoward a goal, and generally at the same time to retard the advance ofthe opponent, and whenever possible to climinate opposing play pieces.The object also generally at the same time is to utilize to its maximumadvantage the benefits of a novel and distinct innovation: an exclusivepassage for the exclusive use of a designated playing piece, one foreach player, in accordance with predetermined rules of play.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an intellectualgame which may be played by two and has a wide range of interest foryoung children as well as adults.

Although the overall description will be generally detailed in theoutline of the different aspects of this board game, the game as playedby two players is relatively simple in concept, as compared with chess.The intention is to make available to interested players a provocativeand stimulating game, particularly with the new innovation of theexclusive passage for exclusive use of the designated piece.

The drawing accompanying and forming part of the specificationillustrates a present practical embodiment of the invention whichincludes the said novel exclusive passage for the use of an exclusivesingle designated playing piece, one for each player.

FIG. I is a plan view of the game board in its prefered form, showingthe exclusive passage and with the game pieces shown in the positionsthey occupy at the commencement of a game.

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of the three basic types of game piecesused, which are shaped in representation of their degrees of relativeimportance.

The design of the board is shown in FIG. l, and this may be mounted onany suitable support as, for example, heavy paper, carboard, a woodenboard or any other similar support. The game apparatus of the presentinvention may be described as follows with reference to FIG. 1; aplaying board 10 is divided generally into four areas; (a) the outerperimeter 11, (b) the main area 12, (c) goal zones 13 and (d) non-squaresimulated barriers I4.

The exclusive passage or course 11 extends around the outer perimeter ofthe game board, forming 36 marginal squares. The main playing area 12occupies the inner playing area, being directly adjacent to the outerpassage on the two sides and being adjacent to the goal zones on the topand bottom of the board and adjacent the barriers in four places,forming a total of 44 squares. The two goal zones I3 are directlyadjacent and between the outer passage on one side and the main playingarea on the other side, each goal forming four squares side by side withboth goals occupying and totaling 8 squares. The simulated barriers 14are nonsquare and are four in number, forming the inward corners of theouter passage, with each barrier occupying the equivalent of threesquares for a total of 12 squares. Although the barriers are non-squarein shape, they occupy the equivalent of three squares each. The gamepieces, being 24 in total, are divided equally, 12 for each playerrespectively.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the twelve pieces referred to in thenumbered squares are as follows; king 23, queen l8, and guards 15, 16,l7, I9, 10, 2] 22, 24, 25, 26 with the king having the prerogative ofbeing the designated piece with the exclusive right to use the exclusivepassage. The physical make-up of the three basic pieces, king, queen andguards, can vary in size and shape as shown in FIG. 2, with the kingbeing the largest in size, the guards having the smallest size, with thequeen being of intermediate size. This is given only as a preferredexample, as the relative differences between the basic pieces also canbe made either by the use of graphic markings or by the use of colorsymbols. It is also preferred to have l2 pieces in black and 12 piecesin white.

With continued reference to the drawing, the playing face of the boardhas a number of mutually perpendicular, intersecting grid linesextending parallel to the edges of the board, thereby forming a seriesof individually distinct playing spaces which are arranged in agenerally uniform pattern over the entire playing area of the board,including the central playing area, the starting zones, the goal zones,and the exclusive passage. The simulated barriers 14 are in each cornerof the central playing area 12, forming the inward corners of theexclusive passage ll, leaving the exclusive passage itself unobstructed.Each of the four simulated barriers occupy an area generally equivalentto three playing squares, thereby leaving an entrance or exit for theexclusive use of the king, through the goal zones I3, or along the sides27, to or from the cental playing area, it being the designated piece,to move either into or out of the exclusive passage. The goal zones 13are accessible to the designated piece for any movement either throughsaid goal zones or within said goal zones. Each goal zone may be definedin any convenient way. In the drawing for example, each goal zone isdefined by heavy lines 13, which extend along certain of the grid linesbetween the barriers. The side openings 27 also are defined by heavygrid lines, extending between the barriers.

The two general playing areas are differentiated one from the other bythe use of contrasting colors. The central playing area including thegoal zones is preferably red in color, with the goal zones accentuatedwith heavier grid markings, and the exclusive passage having acontrasting color, preferably green, thereby having the two generalplaying areas distinguishable one from the other, and the simulatedbarriers in any other suitable differentiating color, preferably black.

The exclusive passage I 1 forms a continuous passage or course extendingabout the perimeter of the game board. The opposing kings have access ofmovement throughout the said exclusive passage on all sides of theboard. This passage permits the designated piece, the king, theopportunity, within a minimum number of moves, to be in position toattack opposing pieces from either of the two sides of the board at 27,or from the rear at I3, with the singular advantage of being itselfprotected while attacking from this form of sanctuary, the exclusivepassage. Once the king moves into an advantageous position in theexclusive passage, it can strike into the central playing area to removean opposing piece and then, on the next move, retire back into thissanctuary. However, when moving into the central playing area, the kingbecomes vulnerable as will be more apparent further in this description.

The rules of the game may provide for generally fixed movements for thegame pieces. The king. being the primary or designated piece, has thegreatest range of movement. Only the king has the prerogative of movinginto the exclusive passage. Once in the passage, he can move either oneor more spaces at a time or as many spaces as exist in the outerperimeter on a given move. The king can also play in the central playingarea, again having the prerogative of moving one or more spaces on agiven move, and if no pieces obstruct, and, as an example, he ispermitted to move from the outer perimeter on one side, through thecentral playing area, to the outer perimeter on the opposite side.Therefore the king, when no other pieces obstruct, has the option ofmoving in any direction as many spaces as the board permits, from borderto border, and can take opposing pieces from any direction. The queenmoves diagonally one or more spaces or as many spaces as the boundary ofthe central playing area permits, or moves only one space vertically orhorizontally, taking opposing pieces diagonally only. As was statedabove, all players are restricted to the central playing area, with theone exception being the kings, one from each side, who are permitted toplay in both the central playing area and the outer perimeter. Theguards are restricted to move one space at a time, either forwardvertically, forward diagonally, or one space to either side, but theguard cannot move backward, and takes opposing pieces diagonally only.

Generally there are two ways in which a player can be declared thewinner of the game. (1) By eliminating the queen. (2) By advancing andmaneuvering one of the ten guards and thereby gaining access to theopposing marked goal zone 13. If neither of the two ways of winning isaccomplished, the game becomes at that point a tie, as the rules mayprovide.

To continue, a further description of how the king may be played,particularly in relation to the exclusive passage. The king in one playcan move backward through his own goal zone area and into the passage.Once in this sanctuary the king has the range on a given play, to moveas many spaces in the passage as exist in the passage. In the passage hecan be placed strategically, on subsequent moves, moving through thecenter openings 27 facing the central playing area, or from the rear ofopponents goal 13. From this position the king can attack vulnerable andunprotected opposing pieces. With this in mind, and as an example of howto protect oneself generally, the play pieces in the central playingarea may be protected as follows; a guard moving forward one space hasthe immediate protection of a piece situated diagonally and directlybehind, and other similar moves may be made for protection depending onthe position of the other pieces, as from time to time the king andqueen may be used for protecting their own pieces. It is this interplayof game pieces that in turn makes a piece vulnerable at times, and theattempts to protect it, and the further damage or advantage of afree-wheeling king moving with greater freedom and flexibility,, who canattack from any direction with a minimum number of moves, that makes thegame provocative by nature. If the strategy of a particular situationdictates, the king may remain by choice in the central playing area,either to protect its players, or force advantages left by a weakenedopponcnt. The description of the king movements is only for example andnot the full extent of the different situations the king may encounter.As stated previously, the king piece becomes vulnerable like any otherpiece while remaining in the main playing area. Because of theopportunities afforded by the passage, either as a sanctuary, or as ameans of strategic maneuvering, the king will attempt to take maximumadvantage of his prerogatives as being the designated piece in relationto this sanctuary.

The object of the game becomes one of strategic maneuver and interplayof the game pieces between the two players, utilizing as far as possibleall the advantages that the three basic game pieces and their potentialmovements may have under the rules. The game pieces for each player aremoved generally forward, toward predetermined goals, eliminatingopposing game pieces when the opportunities arise, and generally at thesame time making attempts to block or retard the progress of theopposing pieces, also generally at the same time utilizing the exclusivepassage, the outer perimeter, to its fullest practical extent.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent as one plays the game and becomes more versed andadept after each succeeding game.

Having thus described the invention, it is to be understood thatalthough specific terms may have been used in the description, they areused in the generic and descriptive sense and not for the purposes oflimitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the follow ingclaim.

1. A board game apparatus comprising a board and two sets of playingpieces, each set consisting of a single large piece, a single piece ofsomewhat smaller size, and ten pieces smaller than the last mentionedpiece; said board having on its surface two sets of lines parallel tothe sides of the board, the lines of one set being perpendicular tothose of the other set, whereby 88 squares of equal size are provided,36 of said squares forming a continuous path around the periphery of theboard, the remaining squares being within said path and forming a majorplaying area having at each of its corners an area equivalent in sizeand shape to three squares, said areas being of distinctive appearanceand forming an L-shaped figure, two rows of four squares each betweenlegs of the L-shaped figures and adjacent the top and bottom edges ofthe board, the remaining 36 squares being arranged in six rows, theuppermost and lowermost rows each having six squares and the fourcentral rows each having eight squares.

1. A board game apparatus comprising a board and two sets of playingpieces, each set consisting of a single large piece, a single piece ofsomewhat smaller size, and ten pieces smaller than the last mentionedpiece; said board having on its surface two sets of lines parallel tothe sides of the board, the lines of one set being perpendicular tothose of the other set, whereby 88 squares of equal size are provided,36 of said squares forming a continuous path around the periphery of theboard, the remaining squares being within said path and forming a majorplaying area having at each of its corners an area equivalent in sizeand shape to three squares, said areas being of distinctive appearanceand forming an L-shaped figure, two rows of four squares each betweenlegs of the L-shaped figures and adjacent the top and bottom edges ofthe board, the remaining 36 squares being arranged in six rows, theuppermost and lowermost rows each having six squares and the fourcentral rows each having eight squares.